Seat and back cushion construction



' July 29, 1941.

, A. H. HABERSTUMP SEAT AND BACK CUSHION CONSTRUCTION 3 Sh'ets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1938 INVENTOR Z my L W Phi/M m N R 0 July 29, 1941. HABERSTUMP 2,251,049

SEAT AND BACK CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed June 9, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l4; Y M. wnm- WW \lll E w INVENTOR 9 aim- A TTORNE Y5.

July 29, 1941. A. H. HABERSTUMP 2,251,049

SEAT AND BACK CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed June 9, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M mag W224,

A TTO RNE yai Patented July 29, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,251,049 SEAT AND BAcK CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Alfred H. Haberstump, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application June 9, 1938, Serial No. 212,782

Claims. (Cl. 155-179) This invention relates to seat back cushion frame constructions, particularly of the type adapted for automobiles. In certain respects, the present invention relates to the type of structure disclosed in the co-pending application of Lowell B. Freeman, Serial No. 209,213, filed May 21, 1938; and also to the type of structure disclosed in the co-pending application of Alfred H. Haberstump, Serial No. 205,908, filed May 4, 1938, which matured into Patent No. 2,218,708, issued Oct. 22, 1940.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an improved cushion construction having a soft spring edge, either along one or both edges thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved manner of reinforcing or supporting the spring elements which form the load supporting surface, so as to more properly control the extent of spring deflection when a load-is applied to the supporting surface. I

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved manner of forming an elongated spring element which is permanently set on different arcs at different regions over the length thereof, so that the spring element assumes different arcs at the different regions when it is applied to a supporting frame and thereby provides a cushion construction of different depths in portions thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved ,border frame. constructions so that spring elements may be disposed and anchored therein in an improved manner.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawings relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth. I

In the drawings, in which like numerals are used to designate like parts in the several views throughout:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view with parts removed, illustrating a cushion construction embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, with parts removed, taken substantially along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of one of the border frame elements of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, of a modified form of cushion construction embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of one of the spring elements used in the modification shown in Fig. 6 before the spring element is attached to the supporting frame;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig; 7 showing another form of spring element;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10' illustrating a modified form of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a modified form of border element;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of border element;

Fi 15 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line |5-l5 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16'is a top plan view of a modified form of borderelement;

.Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially along the line ll-ll of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary top plan view of another modified form of border element;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line l9-I9 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary top plan view of another modified form of border element; and

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2I2l of Fig. 20.

Referring to the drawings, and referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, a seat o'r back cushionis illustrated which includes spaced border elements 22 and 24 which form the means for receiving and anchoring sinuous spring elements 26. The spring elements 26 are similar to those described and claimed in the patent to Kaden No. 2,002,399. issued May 21, 1935. The spring strip embodies in general a length of spring wire bent into sinuous shape and provided with a permanent set on an arc of smaller radius than the radius of the are the strips are drawn outwardly and anchored to assume an arc of longer radius. When the spring strip is so disposed, a'material resistance against laterally disposed deflection is provided which increases with an increased load, providing desirable spring characteristics to the resulting seat or back cushion formed thereby.

A plurality of spaced bracing and supporting members 28, which may be of the same cross-sectional configuration as the elements 22 and 24 and which cross-sectional configuration will be described in greater detail hereinafter, are utilized for retaining the border elements 22 and fi l in a predetermined manner relative to each other. The bracing members 28 are generally U-shaped having a base portion 3!] with an upwardly and outwardly directed rear end 32 and an upstanding forward end 34 which is angled forwardly, as indicated at 36, adjacent the top thereof. Suitable means may be provided for interconnecting the bracing and supporting members such as a unit base frame 36, which is herein illustrated as made or wood and to which the bracing elements may be secured by suitable means such as tacks. The frame provides means by which the padding and finish trim material l6 may be secured by tacking.

The border elements 22 and M extend longitudinally of the cushion construction adjacent the rear and front, respectively, and the crosssectional configurations of the elements are substantially the same. The border elements are formed of sheet metal members which are shaped to provide a central substantially U-shaped recess $2 with oppositely disposed, adjacent recesses l and d6 along the opposite edges of the border elements. The border element 22 is adapted to be fixed to the upstanding portions 32 of the braces 28 on the rear faces thereof by spot welding or the like; and the border element 2 3 is adapted to be spot welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upstanding portions 34 of the braces 23 preferably within the corner formed by the forwardly extending end portion 36 of each brace. The border elements are thus fixed in position on the braces and serve to fix the braces in position. The channels S6 and 56 form anchoring means within which the extreme ends of the spring elements 26 are fixed. I

The last lateral convolution of the rear end of each spring element 26 is adapted to be received within the channel M by providing cut-away portions 68 at spaced intervals in the top wall of the channel l l so that the spring element may be received therein at spaced intervals along the border element. The outer wall of the channel 66 may then be bent or crimped downwardly so that the rear end of the spring element 26 is fixed in position. The forward end of each spring element 26 is adapted to extend beyond the forward edge of the border element 24; and it is then reversed upon itself and fixedwithin the lower channel member 46. The outer wall of the lower channel member 26 may be provided with spaced openings therethrough, corresponding to the openings 48, and the lower wall may then be bent or crimped upwardly so that the forward ends of the springs 26 are anchored within the channel 46 of the border element 24.

By having the spring elements project beyond the front border element and then be reversed upon themselves and anchored within the lower channel 46, a soft front edge is provided for the cushion construction, in that upon application of load to th forward edge of the cushion construction the forward ends of the spring elements 26 may pivot within the channels 46, and the curvature of the forward ends of the spring pro- .vides a soft spring characteristic along that edge.

An elongated sheet metal member 50 which is generally of S-section is attached to the forward face of the border element 24 co-extensive therewith so that it forms with the border element 24 a downwardly directed channel 52 within which a resilient bumper means 54 is fixedly received. The bumper means 54 may be made of felt, rubher or other suitable material, and forms an abutment which projezts downwardly below the inner wall of the channel 46 so that the member 44 forms a fulcrum against which each spring element 26 abuts adjacent the anchoring channel it. This serves to cushion the spring and thereby reduce noise and shock. While the element Ell is here illustrated as being made of a separate sheet of material, it is to be understood that it could be formed integral with the border element if desired.

The spring elements 26 are preferably connected together at substantially their midpoints by means of spiral springs G0 with hooks on the ends thereof which are adapted to engage adjacent convolutions of the spring elements. In

r order to support the end elements 26, generally U-shaped wire edge. members 62 are provided which are connected at their bases by hog rings .6 to the adjacent and elements 26 and which extend downwardly and inwardly and are pivotally connected by means of bracket clips 66 to the unit base frame 38.

By the construction above described, a seat cushion construction is provided which is deeper along one edge than along the other edge thereof and which has a soft edge along the deep edge.

In Figs. 6 and 7, another form of cushion construction is illustrated in which the transversely extending bracing elements 28 are provided with upstanding end portions 70 of substantially the same height which terminate adjacent their upper edges in outwardly directed substantially fiat flanges i2 which form supports for front and rear border lements 54 and 16, respectively.

The border elements id and 15 are substantially identical and extend along the front and rear edges of the cushion construction. These border elements include a sheet metal member if! which is shaped to form a retaining channel with spring wire anchoring means 82 adjacent the lower inner ends thereof and another anchoring channel 86 adjacent the upper outer ends thereof. A strip member 813 of wood, or other suitable material, is received within the channel (it; and a resilient bumper means 88 is also fixed within the channel adjacent the outer edge thereof. The bumper means 88 corresponds to the bumper means 54 previously described.

Sinuous spring elements 90, which are generally similar to the spring elements 26 previously described, are arranged in parallel relationship and anchored to the border elements 14 and 16 to form the spring load supporting surface. The spring elements 90 are of novel construction in that they are permanently set longitudinally thereof upon different arcs which are substantially smaller than the arcs which the spring elements assume when their ends are fixed within the anchoring means. That is. the elements 90 are permanently set upon a smaller arc in the region indicated at 92 than the are upon which they are permanently set in the region indicated at 94 in Fig. 7.

The last lateral convolution of the spring end 90 is adapted to be anchored within the channel 82 by providing spaced openings therealong and crimping the edges of the channel; and the last lateral convolution of the forward end 99 is received within the channel 82 of the border element l4 and similarly fixed therein. When the elements are so fixed, due to the difference in the arcs of permanent set at the different regions therealong, the spring elements provide a cushion construction which is deeper along th forward edge thereof than the rear. As shown, each end is reversely bent upon itself when it is disposed within its anchoring means and the bumper elements 88 are adapted to engage the upper surfaces of the elements 90 adjacent their respective anchoring means. With this construction, a soft edge is provided along both the front and rear edges -of the cushion construction.

Also, according to this embodiment of the invention, other sinuous spring elements IOI are provided which are fixed to the border elements and are disposed under the spring elements 90 in engagement with the central portions thereof so that the spring elements 90 forming the load supporting surface are reinforced at the point of greatest deflection so that proper spring characteristics for the entire cushion are provided. These spring elements IOI are generally similar to the spring elements 90 and may also be bent upon different predetermined arcs at different regions therealong.

The rear end of each of the elements IOI is anchored within the channel 84 of the rear border elements 16; and the forward end of each of the elements IOI is anchored within the channel 84 of the front border elements 14. The spring elements IOI are preferably so arranged that each one of such'elements underlie one of the spring elements 90 in substantially parallel relationship therewith and extends upwardly towards such spring elements so that the intermediate portion thereof engages the under-surface of the central portion of its' adjacent springelements 90. If desired only a few of such elements IOI may be arranged under selected elements 90 so that the deflection at desired regions is controlled. These spring elements 90 and I M may be connected together by hog rings I03 if desired.

It is pointed out here that the spring elements '26 may be permanently set at different arcs thereby in the same way for use in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Instead of using the spring elements 90 which are set upon different permanent-arcs at different regions therealong, a spring element I04 may be used, which is illustrated in Fig. 8, and which is permanently set upon the same are at its ends. When using a spring element I04, the resubstantially the central portion of the spring sulting cushion construction would be of substantially uniform depth for corresponding points thereacross.

In Figs. 9 and 10, a modified form of the structure shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is illustrated in which sinuous spring elements I06, of the type disclosed in the Kaden patent above referred to, are fixed to the top surfaces of upstanding border elements I08 of a unit base frame H0. The elements I06 form the load supporting surface and may be fixed to the border members I08 by means of bracket clamps II2 which are bent over the last lateral convolution adjacent each end of the spring elements I06. Other sinuous spring elements I I4 of the Kaden type are similarly anchored to the base frame H0 and are arced upwardly so that each spring element II4 underlies and engages its adjacent spring element I06 at elements I08. I

In the embodiments described above, it is not necessary that the auxiliary or reinforcing spring elements IN and H4 be provided throughout the entire length of the cushion construction although they may be so provided if desired. Only two or three of such auxiliary reinforcing elements may be necessary or desirable, and such elements may be provided at such points along the length, generally at the longitudinal central portion, as may be required to give the desired results.

In Fig. 11, a modification of the structure illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 is shown in which a base frame I20 is provided. The springs elements I06 extend between the front and rear edges of the base frame and are suitably fixed thereto. Instead of having the reinforcing spring elements II4 extend parallel with the elements I06, the reinforcing elements II4 are disposed across and preferably at right angles to the elements I06 and are suitably fixed to the ends of the frame I20. The elements II4 are arched upwardly and are adapted to engage the. longitudinally central spring elements I06 preferably at the transverse central portion thereof so that the cushion construction is reinforced at its central region. -The spring elements I I4 may be connected to the elements I06 which they engage by hog rings or clips I 03 as illustrated in Fig. 9;.

In Figs. 12 to 21 modified forms of border elements are illustrated showing different manners of anchoring spring elements 26 in position within the border elements. a

In Figs. 12 and 13 one form is illustrated in which the border element is formed of a continuous sheet metal member I24 which is shaped to provide a right angled channel I26 having overhanging lip portions I28 and I30 within which a bumper abutment means I 32, similar to themeans 54, is fixedly received. The rear and under edge of the member I24 is shaped to provide an anchoring channel I34 within which the last lateral convolution of one of the ends of each spring element 26 is received. The last lateral convolution is placed within this channel and then the wall forming the channel is crimped inwardly as indicated at I36 at spaced points therealong so that the spring elements 26 are retained in place. The spring elements 26 are thus adapted to extend forwardly under the bumper element I32 and then be reversed'upon themselves, as the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the bumper means I32 engages the upper surface of each spring element adjacent anchoring means.

In Figs. 14 and 15 another modified form of border element is illustrated in which a sheet metal border element I40 is shaped to provide a downwardly directed generally U-shaped recess I 42 having inwardly directed overhanging portions I 44 and I46 within which the bumper means I48 is received. In this structure the anchoring or retaining means is formed while the sheet metal member I40 is fiat and before it is shaped to the shape shown in Fig. 15 by punching slots I50 in predetermined positions on the sheet and then pressing the portions between the slots downwardly as indicated at I52 below the level I54 of the sheet so that channel openings I56 are provided within which the last lateral convolution of each spring may be received.

In Figs. 16 and 1'7 another form of border ele-' ment is provided in which a sheet metal member I60 is bent into a generally box section having an upwardly disposed U-shaped recess I62 therein. The upstanding legs I64 forming the recess are then bent inwardly to form wire receiving channels I66 and I68. Cut-out portions I are provided through the upper wall of the channel I66 so that the last convolution of the wire element 26 may be received within the recess I62 with the last lateral convolution bearing against the wall of the channel I66 and the adjacent lateral convolution bearing against the base of the recess I68.

In Figs. 18 and 19 a modified form of the structure illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 is shown in which a downwardly opening recess "2 is formed with inwardly disposed flanges I14 which are adapted to hold in position a tacking strip I16 which may be formed of suitable material. The spring elements 26 are anchored to the border element in the same manner as described above in connection with Figs. 16 and 17.

In Figs. 20 and 21 another form of border element is illustrated in which a sheet metal member I80 is bent to provide a recess I82 with inturned flanges I84 which are adapted to fixedly receive a tacking strip I16 therein. The intermediate portion I86 of the member I80 ls doubled upon itself andis bent from one edge of the border element across and above the base of the channel I62 in substantially parallel relationship therewith to provide a wire receiving and anchoring channel. In order to anchor and retain the spring elements 26 in position, a depression I90 forming a downwardly disposed button is formed in the intermediate portion I86 so that the last convolution of the spring element I20 is hooked around the button to retain the spring in place. The button I90 is preferably preformed and the assembly of the spring element 26 therewith is readily accomplished.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A spring for a seat or the like arched on a larger radius longitudinally of its length when secured in position, said spring having different permanent sets at different regions therealong on arcs of comparatively smaller radii longitudinally of its length when unsecured.

2. A cushion construction comprising a base frame having means formed therein for anchoring wire spring elements, a plurality of elongated spring iements each comprising a section of spring wire bent to provide a similar series of adjacent lateral convolutions, said spring elements having different permanent sets therein longitudinally thereof at different regions therealong on arcs of comparatively smaller radii longitudinally of their length when unsecured than when secured in position, the extreme ends of said spring elements being anchored in said anchoring means to thereby provide a cushion construction deeper at portions thereof than at other portions.

3. A cushion construction cmprising a base frame having means formed therein for anchoring wire spring elements a resilient abutment carried by said base frame spaced above and projecting downwardly toward said anchoring means, a plurality of spring'elements each comprising a section of spring wire bent to provide a similar series of adjacent lateral convolutions, said spring elements having diflerent permanent sets therein longitudinally thereof at different regions therealong on arcs of comparatively smaller radii longitudinally of their length when unsecured than when secured in position, one end of each of said spring elements being fixed to'said base frame, and the other end extending beyond the opposite edge of the base frame and being reversed upon itself and anchored within said anchoring means under said abutment against which said spring elements bear adjacent to said anchoring means.

4. A cushion construction comprising a base frame, sheet metal border elements disposed along opposite sides of said base frame, said border elements being formed with means for anchoring wire spring elements, a resilient abutment means carried by each of said border elements spaced above and projecting downwardly toward said anchoring means, a plurality of spring elements each comprising a section of spring wire bent to provide a similar series of adjacent lateral convolutions, said spring elements having different permanent sets therein longitudinally thereof at different regions therealong on arcs of comparatively smaller radii longitudinally of their length when unsecured than when secured, and means for securing the extreme ends of said spring elements in the anchoring means of each of said border elements with intermediate portions of said spring elements engaging the abutment means and moved downwardly therefrom as said extreme ends pivot in said securing means.

5. A cushion construction comprising a base frame having means formed therein for anchoring wire spring elements, a plurality of spring elements each comprising a section of wire bent to provide a similar series of adjacent lateral convolutions, certain of said spring elements having different permanent sets at different regions therealong on arcs of comparatively smaller radii longitudinally of their length when unsecured than when secured, said certain of said spring elements being anchored to opposite sides of said base frame in substantially parallel relationship forming a load supporting surface, other of said spring elements being anchored to said base frame and being disposed under said certain of said spring elements in engagement with intermediate portions thereof to thereby reinforce said certain of said spring elements.

ALFRED H. HABERSTUMP. 

